Touch apparatus and touch detection method thereof

ABSTRACT

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a touch apparatus including: a touch panel configured to include a plurality of touch electrodes; a touch driver configured to apply a first driving signal to a first touch electrode of the touch electrodes during a first period, and a second driving signal to the touch electrodes during a second period subsequent to the first period; and a touch controller configured to determine a detection signal as a valid touch signal based on whether a signal strength of the detection signal received in response to the first driving signal exceeds a first threshold during the first period, wherein the detection signal include at least one of a first detection signal generated by a first touch object and a second detection signal generated by a second touch object, and the first detection signal is determined as a valid touch signal, while the first threshold is set to filter the second detection signal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation Application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/744,427 filed on 2020 Jan. 16, which claimspriority to and benefits of Korean Patent Application No.10-2019-0008374 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Jan.22, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (a) Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a touch apparatus and a touchdetection method thereof.

(b) Description of the Related Art

Various terminals such as mobile phones, smart phones, tablet PCs,laptop computers, digital broadcasting terminals, PDAs (personal digitalassistants), PMPs (portable multimedia players), and navigation devicesinclude touch sensors.

In such a terminal, a touch sensor may be disposed on a display paneldisplaying an image, or may be disposed in an area of a terminal body.As a user interacts with the terminal by touching the touch sensor, theterminal may provide the user with an intuitive user interface.

The user may use a stylus pen for sophisticated touch input. The styluspen may transmit and receive signals to and from the touch sensor in anelectrical and/or magnetic manner.

According to a conventionally used driving method, a position of anobject in contact with the touch sensor is calculated by using a signalreceived during a period in which a driving signal is applied to touchelectrodes included in the touch sensor, and a type of the object (e.g.,a finger, a stylus pen, a palm, etc.) touching the touch sensor isidentified by using a signal received during a period of not applyingthe driving signal.

However, when different types of objects come in contact with the touchsensor together, received signals by each of the objects are notdistinguished, so that a position of each object is difficult toaccurately calculate.

The above information disclosed in this Background section is only forenhancement of understanding of the background of the invention andtherefore it may contain information that does not form the prior artthat is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill inthe art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The exemplary embodiments have been made in an effort to provide a touchapparatus and a touch detection method thereof for accuratelycalculating touch positions of different objects.

For achieving the objects or other objects, an aspect of the presentinvention provides a touch apparatus including: a touch panel configuredto include a plurality of touch electrodes; a touch driver configured toapply a first driving signal to a first touch electrode of the touchelectrodes during a first period, and a second driving signal to thetouch electrodes during a second period subsequent to the first period;and a touch controller configured to determine a detection signal as avalid touch signal based on whether a signal strength of the detectionsignal received in response to the first driving signal exceeds a firstthreshold during the first period, wherein the detection signal includeat least one of a first detection signal generated by a first touchobject and a second detection signal generated by a second touch object,and the first detection signal is determined as a valid touch signal,while the first threshold is set to filter the second detection signal.

The touch driver may receive only a third detection signal generated bythe second touch object in response to the second driving signal duringthe second period.

The third detection signal may be determined as a valid touch signalbased on whether signal strength of the third detection signal exceeds asecond threshold.

The touch controller may calculate an area of a touch area by using thevalid touch signal, and may generate information for identifying a touchobject as the first touch object or the second touch object depending ona size of the area.

The touch controller may generate information identifying that the touchobject is the second touch object when the area is less than or equal toa threshold.

The second touch object may be a stylus pen.

The touch controller may generate information identifying that the touchobject is the first touch object when the area exceeds a threshold.

The first touch object may include at least one of a finger and a palm.

The first driving signal may be a pulse signal with a first frequency,the second driving signal may be a pulse signal having a secondfrequency, and the first frequency and the second frequency may bedifferent from each other.

The touch driver may apply the second driving signal to all of the touchelectrodes in phase during the second period, and may receive adetection signal from all of the touch electrodes when the seconddriving signal has a disable level.

The touch driver may apply the second driving signal during the firstsub period in the second period, and may stop applying the seconddriving signal during the second sub period in the second period.

The touch driver may apply the second driving signal during the firstsub period in the second period, and may apply a third driving signalhaving a different ratio of a disable level period to an enable levelperiod to all of the touch electrodes in one repeated cycle by comparingit with the second driving signal during the second sub period in thesecond period.

The third driving signal may have a ratio of the disable level period tothe enable level period, which is at least one of a:2b+1, a:2b+2,a:2b+3, a:2b+4, a:(3b+1), a:2(b+3)+1, a:2(b+3), and a:(2b+1), in onerepeated cycle, and a and b may be positive integers.

The touch electrodes may include the first touch electrodes and thesecond touch electrodes, the first touch electrodes may extend in afirst direction and may be arranged in a second direction crossing thefirst direction, and the second touch electrodes may extend in thesecond direction and may be arranged in the first direction.

The touch driver may receive a detection signal from all of the secondtouch electrodes while applying the first driving signal to the firsttouch electrode.

The touch driver may include a first driver connected with the firsttouch electrodes and a second driver connected with the second touchelectrodes, and the first driver may include a differential amplifierconnected to two first touch electrodes and an ADC unit for convertingthe differentially amplified signal into a digital signal.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a touchdetection method including: applying a first driving signal to a firsttouch electrode among a plurality of touch electrodes included in atouch panel during a first period; applying a second driving signal tothe touch electrodes during a second period after the first period;determining a detection signal as a valid touch signal based on whethera signal strength of the detection signal received in response to thefirst driving signal exceeds a first threshold during the first period;and calculating touch coordinates by using the valid touch signal,wherein the detection signal include at least one of a first detectionsignal generated by a first touch object and a second detection signalgenerated by a second touch object, and the first detection signal isdetermined as a valid touch signal and the first threshold is set tofilter the second detection signal.

The touch detection method may further include: receiving only a thirddetection signal generated by the second touch object in response to thesecond driving signal during the second period; and determining thethird detection signal as a valid touch signal based on whether a signalstrength of the third detection signal exceeds a second threshold.

The touch detection method may further include: calculating an area of atouch area by using the valid touch signal; and generating informationfor identifying a touch object as the first touch object or the secondtouch object depending on a size of the area.

The generating of the information for identifying the touch object mayinclude generating information identifying that the touch object is thesecond touch object when the area is less than or equal to a threshold.

The generating of the information for identifying the touch object mayinclude generating information identifying that the touch object is thefirst touch object when the area exceeds a threshold, and the firsttouch object may include at least one of a finger and a palm, while thesecond touch object may be a stylus pen

The applying of the first driving signal to the first touch electrodeamong the touch electrodes included in the touch panel during the firstperiod may include receiving a detection signal from all of the secondtouch electrodes while applying the first driving signal to the firsttouch electrode.

The applying of the second driving signal to the touch electrodes duringsecond period that is continuous to the first period may include:applying the second driving signal to all of the touch electrodes inphase during the second period; and receiving a detection signal fromall of the touch electrodes when the second driving signal has a disablelevel.

According to the exemplary embodiments, a touch position generated by astylus pen may be detected when a human body and the stylus pensimultaneously contact each other.

According to the exemplary embodiments, it is possible to accuratelycalculate positions of different types of touch objects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a touch apparatus according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example in which a stylus pen is touched on atouch apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a touch detection method according toan exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 illustrate the touch device of FIG. 1 in more detail.

FIG. 6 illustrates a waveform diagram showing an example of a drivingsignal and a reception signal according to the touch detection method ofFIG. 4 .

FIG. 7 illustrates a part of a receiver that outputs the receptionsignal of FIG. 6 .

FIG. 8 illustrates a waveform diagram showing another example of adriving signal and a reception signal according to the touch detectionmethod of FIG. 4 .

FIG. 9 illustrates a part of a receiver that outputs the receptionsignal of FIG. 8 .

FIG. 10 illustrates a graph showing magnitudes of the reception signalsof FIG. 6 and FIG. 8 .

FIG. 11 illustrates waveform diagrams showing a driving signal accordingto various aspects of an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 illustrate waveform diagrams showing a drivingsignal and a reception signal when the driving signal of FIG. 11 isapplied according to the touch detection method of FIG. 4 .

FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 illustrate touch areas of different objects.

FIG. 16 illustrates a block diagram showing a touch apparatus and a hostthat performs the driving method of FIG. 4 .

FIG. 17 illustrates an example of touch data provided to a host from atouch apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodimentsof the invention are shown. As those skilled in the art would realize,the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, allwithout departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

To clearly describe the present invention, parts that are irrelevant tothe description are omitted, and like numerals refer to like or similarconstituent elements throughout the specification.

Further, since sizes and thicknesses of constituent elements shown inthe accompanying drawings are arbitrarily given for better understandingand ease of description, the present invention is not limited to theillustrated sizes and thicknesses. In the drawings, the thicknesses oflayers, films, panels, regions, etc., are exaggerated for clarity. Inthe drawings, for better understanding and ease of description, thethicknesses of some layers and areas are exaggerated.

It will be understood that when an element such as a layer, film,region, or substrate is referred to as being “on” another element, itcan be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also bepresent. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directlyon” another element, there are no intervening elements present. Further,the word “over” or “on” means positioning on or below the objectportion, and does not necessarily mean positioning on the upper side ofthe object portion based on a gravity direction.

In addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word“comprise” and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” will beunderstood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not theexclusion of any other elements.

Hereinafter, a touch apparatus and a touch detection method thereofaccording to exemplary embodiments will be described with reference tonecessary drawings.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a touch apparatus according to anexemplary embodiment, and FIG. 2 illustrates an example in which astylus pen is touched on a touch apparatus according to an exemplaryembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a touch apparatus 10 according to an exemplaryembodiment may include a touch panel 100, first and second drivers 110and 120 driving the touch panel 100, and a controller 130.

The touch panel 100 includes a plurality of first touch electrodes 111-1to 111-m having a form extending in a first direction, and a pluralityof second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n having a form extending in asecond direction crossing the first direction. In the touch panel 100,the first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m may be arranged along thesecond direction, and the second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n may bearranged along the first direction. In FIG. 1 , a shape of the touchpanel 100 is illustrated as a quadrangle, but the present invention isnot limited thereto.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 , the touch panel 100 further includes asubstrate 105 and a window 103. The first touch electrodes 111-1 to111-m and the second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n may be disposed onthe substrate 105. The window 103 may be disposed on the first touchelectrodes 111-1 to 111-m and the second touch electrodes 121-1 to121-n. In FIG. 2 , the first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m and thesecond touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n are illustrated to be disposed ona same layer, but may be on different layers, respectively, and thepresent invention is not limited thereto.

The first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m are connected to the firstdriver 110, and the second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n are connectedto the second driver 120. In FIG. 1 , the first driver 110 and thesecond driver 120 are separated from each other, but may be implementedas one module, unit, or chip, and the present invention is not limitedthereto.

The first driver 110 may apply a driving signal to the first touchelectrodes 111-1 to 111-m. In addition, the first driver 110 may receivea detection signal from the first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m.Similarly, the second driver 120 may apply a driving signal to thesecond touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n. In addition, the second driver120 may receive a detection signal from the first touch electrodes 121-1to 121-n. That is, the first driver 110 and the second driver 120 may bea type of transceiver for transmitting and receiving signals.

The driving signal may include a signal (e.g., a sine wave, a squarewave, etc.) having a frequency corresponding to a resonant frequency ofa stylus pen 20. The resonance frequency of the stylus pen 20 depends ona design value of a resonant circuit portion 23 of the stylus pen.

The touch apparatus 10 may be used to detect a touch input (direct touchor proximity touch) by a touch object. As illustrated in FIG. 2 , thetouch input of the stylus pen 20 proximate to the touch panel 100 may besensed by the touch apparatus 10.

The stylus pen 20 may include a conductive tip 21, the resonant circuitportion 23, a ground 25, and a body 27.

The conductive tip 21 may be at least partially formed of a conductivematerial (e.g., a metal, a conductive rubber, a conductive fabric, aconductive silicon, etc.), and may be electrically connected to theresonant circuit portion 23.

The resonant circuit portion 23, which is an LC resonant circuit, mayresonate with a driving signal applied from at least one of the firstdriver 110 and the second driver 120 to at least one kind of allelectrodes among the first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m and thesecond touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n through the conductive tip 21.

A resonance signal generated when the resonant circuit portion 23resonates with the driving signal may be outputted to the touch panel100 through the conductive tip 21. The driving signal caused by theresonance of the resonant circuit portion 23 may be transferred to theconductive tip 21 during a period in which the driving signal is appliedto at least one kind of all electrodes among the first touch electrodes111-1 to 111-m and the second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n and duringa following period. The resonant circuit portion 23 may be disposed inthe body 27, and may be electrically connected to the ground 25.

The stylus pen 20 in this manner generates a touch input by generating aresonance signal in response to a driving signal applied to at least oneof the touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m and 121-1 to 121-n.

Capacitance Cx is generated by at least one of the touch electrodes111-1 to 111-m and 121-1 to 121-n, and the conductive tip 21 of thestylus pen 20. The driving signal and the resonance signal may berespectively transferred to the stylus pen 20 and the touch panel 100through the capacitance Cx generated by at least one of the touchelectrodes 111-1 to 111-m and 121-1 to 121-n, and the conductive tip 21of the stylus pen 20.

The touch apparatus 10 may detect a touch by a touch object (e.g., auser's body (finger, palm, etc.), or a passive or active stylus penother than the stylus pen 20 using the above-described method ofgenerating the resonance signal.

For example, the touch apparatus 10 detects a touch by a stylus pen thatreceives an electrical signal and outputs it as a magnetic field signal.For example, the touch apparatus 10 may further include a digitizer. Atouch may be detected by detecting the magnetic field signal that iselectromagnetically resonant (or electromagnetically induced) by thestylus pen by the digitizer. Alternatively, the touch apparatus 10detects a touch by a stylus pen which receives a magnetic field signaland outputs it as a resonant magnetic field signal. For example, thetouch apparatus 10 may further include a coil for applying a current asa driving signal, and the digitizer. The stylus pen resonates with amagnetic field signal generated by the coil to which the current isapplied. A touch may be detected by detecting the magnetic field signalthat is electromagnetically resonant (or electromagnetically induced) bythe stylus pen by the digitizer.

The controller 130 may control driving of the touch apparatus 10, andmay output touch coordinate information in response to a touch detectionresult of the touch apparatus 10.

Next, a touch detection method according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3 .

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a touch detection method according toan exemplary embodiment.

In a first period, the touch apparatus 10 is driven in a first mode(S10). The first mode is a mode in which a driving signal for detectinga touch input by a touch object other than the stylus pen 20 is appliedto the touch panel 100.

For example, in the first mode, the first driver 110 outputs a drivingsignal to the first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m, and the seconddriver 120 receives a sensing signal depending on a touch from thesecond touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n.

The controller 130 determines whether the detection signal is a validtouch signal based on whether a signal magnitude of the detection signalacquired during the first period exceeds a first threshold (S20). Thecontroller 130 may obtain touch coordinate information by using thevalid touch signal.

For example, the controller 130 calculates touch coordinates by usingthe detection signal when the signal magnitude of the detection signalacquired during the first period exceeds the first threshold. Thecontroller 130 does not calculate touch coordinates depending on thedetection signal having a signal magnitude that is less than or equal tothe first threshold when the signal magnitude of the detection signalacquired in the first period is less than or equal to the firstthreshold. In addition, when the signal magnitude of the detectionsignal acquired in the first period exceeds the first threshold, thecontroller 130 may calculate a touch area by using the detection signal.The detection signal acquired in the first period includes at least oneof a first detection signal generated by a user's body part (a finger, apalm, etc.), and a second detection signal generated by the stylus pen20 or a passive stylus pen. The first threshold may be set such that thefirst detection signal is determined to be a valid touch signal and thesecond detection signal is filtered.

In a second period, the touch apparatus 10 is driven in a second mode(S12). The second mode is a mode in which a driving signal for detectinga touch input by the stylus pen 20 is applied to the touch panel 100 anda resonant signal is received based on the driving signal.

For example, the first driver 110 simultaneously applies a drivingsignal to all of the first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m. The resonantcircuit portion 23 of the stylus pen 20 resonates with the drivingsignal, thereby generates a resonant signal, which is transferred to thetouch panel 100 through the conductive tip 21. Then, the first driver110 receives detection signals transferred from the first touchelectrodes 111-1 to 111-m, and the second driver 120 receives sensingsignals transferred from the second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n. Thefirst driver 110 and the second driver 120 may process the receiveddetection signals to transfer them to the controller 130.

Although it has been described in the above description that the firstdriver 110 simultaneously applies driving signals to all of theplurality of first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m during the secondperiod, the second driver 120 may simultaneously apply driving signalsto all of the second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n during the secondperiod, or the first driver 110 and the second driver 120 maysimultaneously apply driving signals to all of the first touchelectrodes 111-1 to 111-m and all of the second touch electrodes 121-1to 121-n. When the first driver 110 and the second driver 120 providedriving signals to both the plurality of first touch electrodes 111-1 to111-m and the plurality of second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n, it isassumed that phases of the driving signals applied to the first touchelectrodes 111-1 to 111-m and the driving signals applied to the secondtouch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n are the same, but the present inventionis not limited thereto.

The controller 130 determines whether the detection signal is a validtouch signal based on whether a signal magnitude of the detection signalacquired during the second period exceeds a second threshold (S22). Thecontroller 130 may obtain touch coordinate information of a point wherethe touch of the stylus pen 20 occurs by using the valid touch signal.

For example, the controller 130 calculates touch coordinates by usingthe detection signal when the signal magnitude of the detection signalacquired during the second period exceeds the second threshold. Thecontroller 130 does not calculate touch coordinates depending on thedetection signal having a signal magnitude that is less than or equal tothe second threshold when the signal magnitude of the detection signalacquired in the second period is less than or equal to the secondthreshold. In addition, when the signal magnitude of the detectionsignal acquired in the second period exceeds the second threshold, thecontroller 130 may calculate a touch area by using the detection signal.

Next, the first and second drivers 110 and 120 of the touch apparatus 10will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 .

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 illustrate the touch device of FIG. 1 in more detail.

First, FIG. 4 illustrates a touch apparatus in the first period. Asillustrated, the first driver 110 is connected to the first touchelectrodes 111-1 to 111-m.

The second driver 120 includes a plurality of amplifiers 123-1 to 123-n,an ADC unit 125, and a digital signal processor (DSP) 127. The seconddriver 120 may sequentially receive detection signals of the secondtouch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n in units of one second touch electrode.Alternatively, the second driver 120 may simultaneously receivedetection signals from the second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n.

Each of the amplifiers 123-1 to 123-n is connected to a correspondingsecond touch electrode of the second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n.Specifically, each of the amplifiers 123-1 to 123-n may be implementedas an amplifier in which one input terminal of two input terminals isconnected to a ground or a DC voltage, and a sensing signal is inputtedinto the other input terminal. Each of the amplifiers 123-1 to 123-namplifies the sensing signals transferred from the second touchelectrodes 121-1 to 121-n in parallel to output them.

The ADC unit 125 converts an amplified detection signal into a digitalsignal. The signal processing unit 127 processes a plurality ofamplified signals converted into digital signals to transfer them to thecontroller 130.

Next, FIG. 5 illustrates a touch in the second period. As illustrated,the first driver 110 includes a plurality of differential amplifiers113-1 to 113-i, an ADC unit 115, and a digital signal processor (DSP)117. The second driver 120 includes a plurality of differentialamplifiers 123-1 to 123-j, an ADC unit 125, and a digital signalprocessor (DSP) 127.

The differential amplifiers 113-1 to 113-i and 123-1 to 123-j may beconfigured by changing the connection of the input terminals of theamplifiers 123-1 to 123-n. That is, an inequality i+j≤n may besatisfied. Specifically, two touch electrodes may be connected to oneamplifier by connecting an input terminal of two input terminals of theamplifier 123-1 to which the ground or the DC voltage is connected tothe corresponding second touch electrode 121-4 and an input terminal oftwo input terminals of the amplifier 123-1 to which the ground or the DCvoltage is connected to the corresponding second touch electrode 121-5.

Input terminals of the respective differential amplifiers 113-1 to 113-iand 123-1 to 123-j are connected to two touch electrodes that are spacedapart from each other by at least one touch electrode. Each of thedifferential amplifiers 113-1 to 113-i and 123-1 to 123-j maydifferentially amplify and output two sense signals transferred from thetouch electrode. Each of the differential amplifiers 113-1 to 113-i and123-1 to 123-j receives differential sensing signals from two touchelectrodes to differentially amplify them, and thus even when a drivingsignal is applied to a plurality of touch electrodes at the same time,it is not saturated.

Each of the differential amplifiers 113-1 to 113-i and 123-1 to 123-jmay receive detection signals from two touch electrodes that are spacedapart from each other, rather than two adjacent touch electrodes. Forexample, each of the differential amplifiers 113-1 to 113-i and 123-1 to123-j receives a sensing signal from two touch electrodes spaced apartfrom each other with one or more touch electrodes therebetween. In FIG.5 , the differential amplifier 113-1 receives detection signals from thefirst touch electrode 111-1 and the first touch electrode 111-5. Whenthe differential amplifier 113-1 receives the detection signals from twoadjacent touch electrodes (e.g., the first touch electrode 111-1 and thefirst touch electrode 111-2), the detection signals generated by thetouch in a region between the first touch electrode 111-1 and the firsttouch electrode 111-2 are not sufficiently large even if they aredifferentially amplified by the differential amplifier 113-1. Therefore,when the differential amplifier 113-1 is connected with two adjacentfirst touch electrodes, touch sensitivity is deteriorated. However,since the differential amplifier 113-1 receives the detection signalsfrom the first touch electrode 111-1 and the first touch electrode111-5, the detection signal generated by the touch electrode at thetouch input position may be differentially amplified to have asufficiently large value, and the touch sensitivity may be improved.

Each of the ADC units 115 and 125 converts the differentially amplifieddetection signal into a digital signal. Each of the signal processingunits 117 and 127 processes a plurality of differential amplifiedsignals converted into digital signals to transfer them to thecontroller 130.

Such a touch detection method will be described together with referenceto FIG. 6 to FIG. 10 .

FIG. 6 illustrates a waveform diagram showing an example of a drivingsignal and a reception signal according to the touch detection method ofFIG. 4 , and FIG. 7 illustrates a part of a receiver that outputs thereception signal of FIG. 6 .

In FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 , it is assumed that there is a touch by a fingerin a region where the first touch electrodes 111-1 and 111-2 and thesecond touch electrodes 121-1, 121-2, and 121-3 cross each other.

As illustrated in FIG. 6 , during the first period T1, first drivingsignals D_111-1 to D_111-m are sequentially applied to the first touchelectrodes 111-1 to 111-m. The first driving signals D_111-1 to D_111-mare pulse signals having an enable level voltage VE and a disable levelvoltage VD.

The second driver 120 receives the detection signals R_121-1 to R_121-nfrom the second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n.

The first driving signals D_111-1 to D_111-m are driving signals fordetecting a touch input by a touch object other than the stylus pen 20,and are not limited to the waveform illustrated in FIG. 6 . It isillustrated in FIG. 6 that the first driving signals D_111-1 to D_111-mare sequentially applied to the first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m,but driving signals having different frequencies (e.g., frequencieshaving an orthogonal relationship with each other) may be simultaneouslyapplied to the first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m. In this case, thesecond driver 120 may receive detection signals depending on a touchfrom the second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n, and may separate thedetection signals by the first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m usingband pass filters of different frequency bands.

As illustrated in FIG. 7 , the detection signal R_121-1 from the secondtouch electrode 121-1 may be amplified and outputted through thecorresponding amplifier 123-1, the detection signal R_121-2 from thesecond touch electrode 121-2 may be amplified and outputted through thecorresponding amplifier 123-1, the detection signal R_121-3 from thesecond touch electrode 121-3 may be amplified and outputted through thecorresponding amplifier 123-1, and the detection signal R_121 from thesecond touch electrode 121-4 may be amplified and outputted through thecorresponding amplifier 123-1. In the sensing signals R_121-1, R_121-2,and R_121-3, a change in signal magnitude caused by a touch occurs asΔV0, ΔV1, and ΔV2, respectively.

The controller 130 may calculate, as touch coordinates, a point at whichthe first touch electrodes 111-1 and 111-2 to which a driving signal isapplied when a change in signal magnitude is generated, and the secondtouch electrodes 121-1, 121-2 and 121-3 in which a signal magnitudechange is generated, cross each other.

Next, during the first sub period T21 in the second period T2, thesecond driving signals D_111-1 to D_111-m are applied to all of thefirst touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m, and the third driving signalD_121 is applied to all of the second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n.The second and third driving signals D_111 and D_121 are pulse signalshaving a voltage VE of an enable level and a voltage VD of a disablelevel, and having a frequency that is similar to that of a resonantfrequency of the stylus pen 20.

During the first sub period T21, reception of detection signals from thefirst touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m and the second touch electrodes121-1 to 121-n is not performed.

During the second sub period T22, the first driver 110 and the seconddriver 120 may receive detection signals from both the first touchelectrodes 111-1 to 111-m and the second touch electrodes 121-1 to121-n.

The second period T2 includes a plurality of first sub periods T21 andsecond sub periods T22. For example, during the second period T2, acombination of the first sub period T21 and the second sub period T22may be repeated eight times.

In FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 , since the touch by the stylus pen 20 does notoccur, no detection signal is received during the second sub period T22.

FIG. 8 illustrates a waveform diagram showing another example of adriving signal and a reception signal according to the touch detectionmethod of FIG. 3 , and FIG. 9 illustrates a part of a receiver thatoutputs the reception signal of FIG. 8 .

In FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 , it is assumed that there is a touch by the styluspen 20 in a region where the first touch electrode 111-2 and the secondtouch electrode 121-5 cross each other.

As illustrated in FIG. 8 , during the first period T1, first drivingsignals D_111-1 to D_111-m are sequentially applied to the first touchelectrodes 111-1 to 111-m. The second driver 120 receives the detectionsignals R_121-1 to R_121-n from the second touch electrodes 121-1 to121-n.

Since the stylus pen 20 is close to the second touch electrode 121-5, asignal magnitude change value ΔV3 of the detection signal R_121-5 fromthe touched second touch electrode 121-5 may be amplified and outputtedthrough the amplifier 123-5.

Next, during the first sub period T21 in the second period T2, thesecond driving signals D_111-1 to D_111-m are applied to all of thefirst touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m, and the third driving signalD_121 is applied to all of the second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n.The second and third driving signals D_111 and D_121 are pulse signalshaving a voltage VE of an enable level and a voltage VD of a disablelevel, and having a frequency that is similar to that of a resonantfrequency of the stylus pen 20.

In FIG. 8 , it is described that the enable level voltage VE of thesecond and third driving signals D_111 and D_121 and the disable levelvoltage VD are the same in phase signal, but the present invention isnot limited thereto. During the first sub period T21, a magnitude of thepen resonance signal increases according to a time when the second andthird driving signals D_111 and D_121 are applied. The magnitude of thepen resonance signal is saturated after a certain time elapses

During the first sub period T21, reception of detection signals from thefirst touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m and the second touch electrodes121-1 to 121-n is not performed.

Thereafter, when the first sub period T21 ends, the first driver 110stops applying the driving signal D_111, and the second driver 120 alsostops applying the driving signal D_121. During the second sub periodT22 in the second period T2, the driving signals D_111 and D_121 are notapplied to the first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m and the secondtouch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n.

During the second sub period T22, the first driver 110 and the seconddriver 120 may receive detection signals from both the first touchelectrodes 111-1 to 111-m and the second touch electrodes 121-1 to121-n. The first driver 110 and the second driver 120 may receive thepen resonance signal in the second sub period T22 to which the drivingsignals D_111 and D_121 are not applied as a detection signal.

As illustrated in FIG. 9 , a signal magnitude difference ΔV4 between thedetection signal R_111-2 from the first touch electrode 111-2 with touchand the detection signal R_111-6 from the first touch electrode 111-6without touch may be amplified and outputted through the differentialamplifier 113-2. Similarly, a signal magnitude difference ΔV5 betweenthe detection signal R_121-5 from the second touch electrode 121-5 withtouch and the detection signal R_121-1 from the second touch electrode121-1 without touch may be amplified and outputted through thedifferential amplifier 123-1.

The controller 130 may calculate, as touch coordinates, a point at whichthe first touch electrodes 111-1 and 111-2 to which a driving signal isapplied when a difference in signal magnitude is generated, and thesecond touch electrodes 121-2 and 121-3 in which a signal magnitudedifference is generated, cross each other.

The controller 130 may calculate a touch position on the touch panel 100through the detection signal received in the second sub period T22. Inaccordance with the touch apparatus 10 according to an exemplaryembodiment, since the detection signal is received through both theplurality of first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m and the plurality ofsecond touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n during the second sub period,there is an advantage in that touch coordinates along two axesintersecting each other may be quickly obtained.

In addition, the same driving signals D_111 and D_121 are simultaneouslyapplied to both the first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m and the secondtouch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n during the first period T1, therebyimproving the resonant signal magnitude of the stylus pen 20 in responsethereto is improved.

In the above description, the detection signal may be received at leastonce during the second sub period by at least one of the first driver110 and the second driver 120. In addition, a time point at which thedetection signal is received may be at least one time point in thesecond sub period T22, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

Next, the magnitude of the detection signal received in each of thefirst period T1 and the second period T2 will be described withreference to FIG. 10 .

FIG. 10 illustrates a graph showing magnitudes of the reception signalsof FIGS. 6 and 8 . One frame 1 FRAME includes a first period T1 and asecond period T2. The second period T2 includes a plurality of first subperiods T22 and second sub periods T22. When the second sub period T22ends, a first period of the next frame is started.

During the first period T1, the magnitude difference of the detectionsignal generated by a finger is ΔV1 or ΔV2, which exceeds a firstthreshold value Threshold1. During the first period T1, the magnitudedifference of the detection signal generated by the stylus pen 20 isΔV3, which is less than or equal to the first threshold valueThreshold1.

According to the exemplary embodiment, the controller 130 determines adetection signal having a magnitude difference exceeding the firstthreshold value Threshold1 as a valid touch signal during the firstperiod T1. The first threshold value Threshold1 may be set such that afirst detection signal generated by a user's body (a finger, a palm,etc.) is determined as a valid touch signal, and a second detectionsignal generated by the stylus pen 20 or a passive stylus pen isfiltered.

Accordingly, the controller 130 determines the detection signalgenerated by the finger as a valid touch signal, and calculates touchcoordinates by using the detection signal. The controller 130 determinesthat the detection signal generated by the stylus pen 20 is not a validtouch signal, and does not calculate the touch coordinates.

During the second period T2, the magnitude difference of the detectionsignal generated by the stylus pen 20 is ΔV4 or ΔV5, which exceeds asecond threshold value Threshold2.

The controller 130 determines a detection signal having a magnitudedifference exceeding the second threshold value Threshold2 as a validtouch signal during the second period T2. Therefore, the controller 130determines the detection signal generated by the stylus pen 20 as avalid touch signal, and calculates touch coordinates by using thedetection signal.

Conventionally, when different types of objects contact the touch sensortogether, the touch coordinates are calculated using only the detectionsignal in the first period T1, and thus it is difficult to accuratelycalculate the touch position by a touch object having a small change insignal magnitude.

According to the exemplary embodiments, the first threshold valueThreshold1 may be set such that a first detection signal generated by auser's body (a finger, a palm, etc.) is determined as a valid touchsignal, and a second detection signal generated by the stylus pen 20 ora passive stylus pen is filtered. As a result, the touch coordinates ofthe touch object having the large change in signal magnitude may beaccurately detected during the first period T1, and the touchcoordinates of the touch object having the small change in signalmagnitude may be detected in the second period T2.

Next, types of the second and third driving signals D_111 and D_121 thatmay be applied to the first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m and thesecond touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n will be described with referenceto FIG. 11 .

FIG. 11 illustrates waveform diagrams showing a driving signal accordingto various aspects of an exemplary embodiment.

During the first sub period T21, the driving signals D_111 and D_121 inwhich a pulse of enable level VE is repeated at a predetermined cycle isapplied to all of at least one type of the first touch electrodes 111-1to 111-m and the second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n. During thefirst sub period T21, the resonance signal of the stylus pen 20 may bequickly reached (i.e., saturated) by the driving signals D_111 andD_121.

During the second sub period T22, the driving signals D_111 and D_121having a plurality of periods having different lengths of the disablelevel periods is applied to all of at least one type of the first touchelectrodes 111-1 to 111-m and the second touch electrodes 121-1 to121-n.

For example, when a duty ratio of the driving signals outputted duringthe first sub period T21 (a ratio of the disable level period to theenable level period during one repeated period P) is 1:1, the drivingsignals outputted during the second sub period T22 may have a duty ratioof a:2b+1, a:2b+2, a:2b+3, a:2b+4, a:(3b+1), a:2(b+3)+1, a:2(b+3),a:(2b+1), . . . , and the like. Herein, a and b are positive integers. Atime period corresponding to one cycle P of the driving signal outputtedduring the second sub period T22 may include a period in which theenable level period and the disable level period are repeated at least ntimes, and a period in which the disable level period is maintained atleast 2n times. The enable level period corresponds to a period in whichthe driving signal has an enable level VE, and the disable level periodcorresponds to a period in which the driving signal has a disable levelVE. The duty ratio of the driving signal is merely an example, and mayinclude all ratios for allowing the resonance signal of the stylus pen20 having reached a predetermined level to be maintained at an effectivelevel.

The resonance signal of the stylus pen 20 reaching the predeterminedlevel by the first driving signal during the first sub period T21 may bemaintained at an effective level by the driving signal during the secondsub period T22. Herein, the effective level indicates a level at whichthe controller 130 can detect the resonance signal of the stylus pen 20as a touch signal.

The driving signal during the second sub period T22 may be a signal inwhich at least one pulse is periodically omitted from the first drivingsignal during the first sub period T21. As described above, since thedriving signal during the second sub period T22 is outputted in a formin which at least one pulse is periodically omitted compared to thedriving signal during the first sub period T21, the driving signalduring the first sub period T21 and the driving signal during the secondsub period T22 may have different pulse rates. That is, the drivingsignal during the second sub period T22 may have a lower pulse speedthan the driving signal during the sub period T21. Herein, a pulse ratemay be a number of pulses outputted per unit time (e.g., 1 s).

As a number of skipped pulses of the driving signal decreases during thesecond sub period T22, energy transferred from the touch apparatus 10 tothe stylus pen 20 may increase. Therefore, as the number of skippedpulses of the driving signal decreases during the second sub period T22,the signal level of the pen resonance signal generated during the secondsub period T22 increases. In addition, as the number of skipped pulsesof the driving signal increases during the second subinterval T22,energy consumed for output of the driving signal may decrease.Therefore, as the number of pulses skipped by the driving signalincreases during the second sub period T22, energy consumed by the touchapparatus 10 during the second sub period T22 may be reduced.

Next, a touch detection method in the case of applying the drivingsignal during the second sub period T22 described with reference to FIG.11 will be described with reference to FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 . In FIG. 12and FIG. 13 , it is assumed that the driving signal applied to the touchelectrodes 111-1 to 111-m and 121-1 to 121-n during the second subperiod T22 has a non-skipped vs. skipped pulse ratio of 1:1.

FIG. 12 illustrates a waveform diagram showing an example of a drivingsignal and a reception signal when the driving signal of FIG. 11 isapplied according to the touch detection method of FIG. 4 .

In FIG. 12 , it is assumed that there is a touch by a finger in a regionwhere the first touch electrodes 111-1 and 111-2 and the second touchelectrodes 121-1, 121-2, and 121-3 cross each other.

As illustrated in FIG. 12 , during the first period T1, first drivingsignals D_111-1 to D_111-m are sequentially applied to the first touchelectrodes 111-1 to 111-m. The first driving signals D_111-1 to D_111-mare pulse signals having an enable level voltage VE and a disable levelvoltage VD.

The second driver 120 receives the detection signals R_121-1 to R_121-nfrom the second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n.

The detection signal R_121-1 from the second touch electrode 121-1 maybe amplified and outputted through the corresponding amplifier 123-1,the detection signal R_121-2 from the second touch electrode 121-2 maybe amplified and outputted through the corresponding amplifier 123-1,the detection signal R_121-3 from the second touch electrode 121-3 maybe amplified and outputted through the corresponding amplifier 123-1,and the detection signal R_121 from the second touch electrode 121-4 maybe amplified and outputted through the corresponding amplifier 123-1. Inthe sensing signals R_121-1, R_121-2, and R_121-3, a change in signalmagnitude caused by a touch occurs as ΔV0, ΔV1, and ΔV2, respectively.

The controller 130 may calculate, as touch coordinates, a point at whichthe first touch electrodes 111-1 and 111-2 to which a driving signal isapplied when a change in signal magnitude is generated, and the secondtouch electrodes 121-1, 121-2 and 121-3 in which a signal magnitudechange is generated, cross each other.

Next, during the first sub period T21 in the second period T2, thesecond driving signals D_111-1 to D_111-m are applied to all of thefirst touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m, and the third driving signalD_121 is applied to all of the second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n.The second and third driving signals D_111 and D_121 are pulse signalshaving a voltage VE of an enable level and a voltage VD of a disablelevel, and having a frequency that is similar to that of a resonantfrequency of the stylus pen 20.

During the first sub period T21, reception of detection signals from thefirst touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m and the second touch electrodes121-1 to 121-n is not performed.

During the second sub period T22, the first driver 110 and the seconddriver 120 may transfer a driving signal including a period in which theenable level period and the disable level period are repeated at least ntimes (n=3 in FIG. 12 , but it is not limited thereto), and a period inwhich the disable level period is maintained at least 2n times, as atime period corresponding to one cycle P, to both the first touchelectrodes 111-1 to 111-m and the second touch electrodes 121-1 to121-n. The period in which the enable level period and the disable levelperiod are repeated at least n times and a period in which the enablelevel period is maintained at least 2n times may be repeated at leastonce in the second sub period T22.

In addition, while the driving signal applied to the first touchelectrodes 111-1 to 111-m is the disable level, and the driving signalapplied to the second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n is the disabledlevel, the first and second drivers 110 and 120 may simultaneouslyreceive detection signals from both the first touch electrodes 111-1 to111-m and the second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n.

In FIG. 12 , since the touch by the stylus pen 20 does not occur, nodetection signal is received during the second sub period T22.

FIG. 13 illustrates a waveform diagram showing another example of adriving signal and a reception signal when the driving signal of FIG. 11is applied according to the touch detection method of FIG. 3 .

In FIG. 13 , it is assumed that there is a touch by the stylus pen 20 ina region where the first touch electrode 111-2 and the second touchelectrode 121-5 cross each other.

As illustrated in FIG. 13 , during the first period T1, first drivingsignals D_111-1 to D_111-m are sequentially applied to the first touchelectrodes 111-1 to 111-m. The second driver 120 receives the detectionsignals R_121-1 to R_121-n from the second touch electrodes 121-1 to121-n.

Since the stylus pen 20 is close to the second touch electrode 121-5, asignal magnitude change value ΔV3 of the detection signal R_121-5 fromthe touched second touch electrode 121-5 may be amplified and outputtedthrough the amplifier 123-5.

Next, during the first sub period T21 in the second period T2, thesecond driving signals D_111-1 to D_111-m are applied to all of thefirst touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m, and the third driving signalD_121 is applied to all of the second touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n.The second and third driving signals D_111 and D_121 are pulse signalshaving a voltage VE of an enable level and a voltage VD of a disablelevel, and having a frequency that is similar to that of a resonantfrequency of the stylus pen 20.

In FIG. 8 , it is described that the enable level voltage VE of thesecond and third driving signals D_111 and D_121 and the disable levelvoltage VD are the same in phase signal, but the present invention isnot limited thereto. During the first sub period T21, a magnitude of thepen resonance signal increases according to a time when the second andthird driving signals D_111 and D_121 are applied. The magnitude of thepen resonance signal is saturated after a certain time elapses.

During the first sub period T21, reception of detection signals from thefirst touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m and the second touch electrodes121-1 to 121-n is not performed.

During the second sub period T22, the first driver 110 and the seconddriver 120 may transfer a driving signal including a period in which theenable level period and the disable level period are repeated at least ntimes (n=3 in FIG. 12 , but it is not limited thereto), and a period inwhich the disable level period is maintained at least 2n times, as atime period corresponding to one cycle P, to both the first touchelectrodes 111-1 to 111-m and the second touch electrodes 121-1 to121-n. In addition, during a period S during which the driving signalapplied to the first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m is the disablelevel, and the driving signal applied to the second touch electrodes121-1 to 121-n is the disable level, the first and second drivers 110and 120 may simultaneously receive detection signals from both the firsttouch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m and the second touch electrodes 121-1 to121-n.

During the second sub period T22, the first driver 110 and the seconddriver 120 may receive detection signals from both the first touchelectrodes 111-1 to 111-m and the second touch electrodes 121-1 to121-n. The first driver 110 and the second driver 120 may receive thepen resonance signal in the second sub period T22 to which the drivingsignals D_111 and D_121 are not applied as a detection signal.

A signal magnitude difference ΔV6 between the detection signal R_111-2from the first touch electrode 111-2 with touch and the detection signalR_111-6 from the first touch electrode 111-6 without touch may beamplified and outputted through the differential amplifier 113-2.Similarly, a signal magnitude difference ΔV7 between the detectionsignal R_121-5 from the second touch electrode 121-5 with touch and thedetection signal R_121-1 from the second touch electrode 121-1 withouttouch may be amplified and outputted through the differential amplifier123-1.

The controller 130 may calculate, as touch coordinates, a point at whichthe first touch electrodes 111-1 and 111-2 to which a driving signal isapplied when a difference in signal magnitude is generated, and thesecond touch electrodes 121-2 and 121-3 in which a signal magnitudedifference is generated, cross each other.

The controller 130 may calculate a touch position on the touch panel 100through the detection signal received in the second sub period T22. Inaccordance with the touch apparatus 10 according to an exemplaryembodiment, since the detection signal is received through both theplurality of first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m and the plurality ofsecond touch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n during the second sub period,there is an advantage in that touch coordinates along two axesintersecting each other may be quickly obtained.

In addition, the same driving signals D_111 and D_121 are simultaneouslyapplied to both the first touch electrodes 111-1 to 111-m and the secondtouch electrodes 121-1 to 121-n during the first period T1, therebyimproving the resonant signal magnitude of the stylus pen 20 in responsethereto.

In the above description, the detection signal may be received at leastonce during the second sub period by at least one of the first driver110 and the second driver 120. In addition, a time point at which thedetection signal is received may be at least one time point in thesecond sub period T22, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

Next, a touch area depending on a touch object will be described withreference to FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 .

FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 illustrate touch areas of different objects.

As illustrated in FIG. 14 , a finger 30 touches the touch panel 100. Aplurality of touch electrodes 111-3 to 111-5 and 121-4 to 121-6 may bedisposed near an area A1 where a tip of the finger 30 contacts the touchpanel 100. An area of the touch area A1 may be calculated by usingdetection signals received from the touch electrodes 111-3 to 111-5 and121-4 to 121-6.

As illustrated in FIG. 15 , the stylus pen 40 touches the touch panel100. One first touch electrode 111-6 and one second touch electrode121-6 may be disposed near an area A2 where a tip of the stylus pen 40contacts the touch panel 100. Alternatively, two first touch electrodesand two second touch electrodes may be disposed near an area A2 wherethe tip of the stylus pen 40 contacts the touch panel 100. That is, anumber of the touch electrodes disposed in the area A2 where the tip ofthe stylus pen 40 contacts the touch panel 100 is smaller than that ofthe touch electrodes disposed in the area A1 where the finger 30contacts the touch panel 100. Therefore, the area of the touch area A2generated by the touch of the stylus pen 40 is calculated to be a verysmall value compared to the touch area A1 generated by the touch of thefinger 30.

According to the exemplary embodiments, the touch apparatus 10 maytransfer touch data including information related to the area of thetouch area to a host apparatus. In this way, the host apparatus mayidentify whether the touch object is the finger 30 or the stylus pen 40.

According to the exemplary embodiments, the touch apparatus 10 maydetermine the touch object depending on the calculated area of the toucharea, and may transfer touch data including information related to thedetermined touch object to the host apparatus.

This will be described with reference to FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 .

FIG. 16 illustrates a block diagram showing a touch apparatus and a hostthat perform the driving method of FIG. 4 , and FIG. 17 illustrates anexample of touch data provided to a host from a touch apparatus.

Referring to FIG. 16 , a host 50 may receive touch data from thecontroller 130 included in the touch apparatus 10. For example, the host50 may be a mobile system-on-chip (SoC), an application processor (AP),a media processor, a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), ora similar device thereto.

After one frame ends, the touch apparatus 10 may generate informationrelated to the touch input during one frame as touch data to transfer itto the host 50.

Alternatively, when the first period T1 ends, the touch apparatus 10 maygenerate touch information that is inputted during the first period T1as touch data to transfer it to the host 50, and when the second periodT2 that is continuous to the first period T1 ends, it may generateinformation related to a touch that is inputted during the second periodT2 as touch data to transfer it to the host 50.

Referring to FIG. 17 , touch data 60 may include a touch count field 61and one or more touch entity fields 62 and 63.

In the touch count field 61, a value indicating a number of touches thatare inputted during one frame period may be written. For example, whentouch coordinates by one finger are calculated during the first periodT1 in one frame period, and when touch coordinates by one stylus pen arecalculated during the second period T2, a value indicating that twotouches are inputted is written in the touch count field 61.

The touch entity fields 62 and 63 include fields indicating informationrelated to each touch input. For example, the touch entity fields 62 and63 may include a flag field 620, an X-axis coordinate field 621, aY-axis coordinate field 622, a Z-value field 623, an area field 624, anda touch action field 625.

A number of the touch entity fields 62 and 63 may be equal to a valuewritten in the touch count field 61.

A value representing a touch object may be written in the flag field620. For example, a finger, a palm, and a stylus pen may be filled inthe flag field 620 with different values. Values representing thecalculated touch coordinates may be written in the X-axis coordinatefield 621 and the Y-axis coordinate field 622. A value corresponding tothe signal strength of the detection signal may be written in theZ-value field 623. A value corresponding to an area of the touched areamay be written in the area field 624.

According to exemplary embodiments, the host apparatus 50 receivingtouch data 60 determines that a touch object is the finger 30 when thetouch area is larger than the threshold by using the value of the areafield 624, and determines that the touch object is the stylus pen 40when the touch area is less than or equal to the threshold.

According to the exemplary embodiments, the host apparatus 50 receivingthe touch data 60 may identify whether the touch object is the finger 30or the stylus pen 40 by using the value of the flag field 620.

While this invention has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited to the disclosedembodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A touch apparatus comprising: a touch panelconfigured to include a plurality of touch electrodes; and a touchdriver configured to apply a first driving signal to a first touchelectrode of the touch electrodes during a first period, and a seconddriving signal to the touch electrodes during a second period subsequentto the first period; and a touch controller configured to determine adetection signal as a valid touch signal based on whether a signalstrength of the detection signal received in response to the firstdriving signal exceeds a first threshold during the first period orwhether a signal strength of the detection signal received in responseto the second driving signal exceeds a second threshold during thesecond period, wherein the detection signal includes at least one of afirst detection signal generated by a first touch object and a seconddetection signal generated by a second touch object, and wherein thetouch driver applies the second driving signal to the touch electrodes,and receives the detection signal generated by resonance of the secondtouch object in response to the second driving signal when the seconddriving signal has a disable level, during the second period.
 2. Thetouch apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first threshold is differentfrom the second threshold.
 3. The touch apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe second threshold is less than the first threshold.
 4. The touchapparatus of claim 1, wherein the second touch object is a stylus pen.5. The touch apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first touch objectincludes at least one of a finger and a palm.
 6. The touch apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the first driving signal is a pulse signal having afirst frequency and the second driving signal is a pulse signal having asecond frequency, and the first frequency and the second frequency aredifferent from each other.
 7. The touch apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe touch driver applies the second driving signal to all of the touchelectrodes in phase during the second period, and receives a detectionsignal from all of the touch electrodes when the second driving signalhas a disable level.
 8. The touch apparatus of claim 7, wherein thetouch driver applies the second driving signal during the first subperiod in the second period, and stops applying the second drivingsignal during the second sub period in the second period.
 9. The touchapparatus of claim 7, wherein the touch driver applies the seconddriving signal during the first sub period in the second period, andapplies a third driving signal having a different ratio of a disablelevel period to an enable level period to all of the touch electrodes inone repeated cycle by comparing it with the second driving signal duringthe second sub period in the second period.
 10. The touch apparatus ofclaim 9, wherein the third driving signal has a ratio of the disablelevel period to the enable level period which is at least one of a:2b+1,a:2b+2, a:2b+3, a:2b+4, a:(3b+1), a:2(b+3)+1, a:2(b+3), and a:(2b+1), inone repeated cycle, and a and b are positive integers.
 11. The touchapparatus of claim 1, wherein the touch electrodes include the firsttouch electrodes and the second touch electrodes, the first touchelectrodes extend in a first direction and are arranged in a seconddirection crossing the first direction, and the second touch electrodesextend in the second direction and are arranged in the first direction.12. The touch apparatus of claim 11, wherein the touch driver receives adetection signal from all of the second touch electrodes while applyingthe first driving signal to the first touch electrode.
 13. The touchapparatus of claim 11, wherein the touch driver includes a first driverconnected with the first touch electrodes and a second driver connectedwith the second touch electrodes, and the first driver includes adifferential amplifier connected to two first touch electrodes and anADC unit for converting the differentially amplified signal into adigital signal.
 14. A touch detection method comprising: applying afirst driving signal to a first touch electrode among a plurality oftouch electrodes included in a touch panel during a first period;determining a detection signal as a valid touch signal based on whethera signal strength of the detection signal received in response to thefirst driving signal exceeds a first threshold during the first period;and calculating touch coordinates by using the valid touch signal;applying a second driving signal to the touch electrodes during a secondperiod after the first period; and determining the detection signal as avalid touch signal based on whether a signal strength of the detectionsignal exceeds a second threshold, wherein the detection signal includesat least one of a first detection signal generated by a first touchobject and a second detection signal generated by a second touch object,and wherein the touch detection method further comprises receiving thedetection signal generated by resonance of the second touch object inresponse to the second driving signal when the second driving signal hasa disable level, during the second period.
 15. The touch detectionmethod of claim 14, wherein the first threshold is different from thesecond threshold.
 16. The touch detection method of claim 14, whereinthe second threshold is less than the first threshold.
 17. The touchdetection method of claim 14, wherein the applying of the first drivingsignal to the first touch electrode among the touch electrodes includedin the touch panel during the first period includes receiving adetection signal from all of the second touch electrodes while applyingthe first driving signal to the first touch electrode.
 18. The touchdetection method of claim 14, wherein the applying of the second drivingsignal to the touch electrodes during the second period that iscontinuous to the first period includes: applying the second drivingsignal to all of the touch electrodes in phase during the second period;and receiving the detection signal from all of the touch electrodes whenthe second driving signal has a disable level.